Vaccines act as a shield, protecting children and newborn babies from life-threatening diseases and saving up to 4.4 million lives every year.
Despite decades of progress, there has been a backslide in vaccinating children against deadly or debilitating diseases, which is lower than pre-pandemic levels. Globally, 1 in 5 children have missed one or all of their routine vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable to a range of preventable diseases like measles, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis and diphtheria – diseases that children need help fighting against.
Tragically, this is a story of inequity, poverty, disadvantaged communities and unempowered women, many of whom live in countries affected by conflict and instability.
Around the world, we are already seeing the reemergence of preventable diseases which, for decades, UNICEF has fought tirelessly to control. From polio in Gaza to measles in Burkina Faso and diphtheria in Niger. Plus, outbreaks of diseases like mpox and cholera are wreaking havoc on vulnerable communities already facing high rates of malnutrition and displacement.
Failure to protect children against diseases can lead to preventable deaths and children suffering from lifelong disabilities. We can prevent this. Together, we must act. Please donate today.
Vaccinate Children. Save Lives.
Help protect children against preventable diseases with lifesaving vaccines.
Urgent polio vaccination campaign in Gaza
Amid a humanitarian crisis, UNICEF and our partners are racing against time to vaccinate over 640,000 children against polio in the Gaza Strip.
The highly contagious and life-threatening disease hasn’t been seen in Gaza for over 25 years, but tragically, the first case was detected in an unvaccinated 10-month-old baby, prompting the Ministry of Health in Gaza to declare the Strip a polio outbreak zone in July 2024.
UNICEF is helping to facilitate a large-scale immunisation campaign, delivering 1.6 million doses of the polio vaccine, with an additional 400,000 doses expected in late September. To ensure the vaccines are stored at the required temperature from manufacture to vaccination, we have provided cold chain equipment, including cold storage facilities, refrigerated fridges and cold boxes.
Over 50%
As the largest buyer of vaccines in the world, UNICEF vaccinates almost half the world’s children under five each year
How will my donation help children?
Your generous donation can help us vaccinate children against debilitating and life-threatening diseases:
- $77 could provide 100 doses of vaccinations against measles, one of the biggest killers of children under five.
- $137 could help to provide 500 doses of polio vaccines, to help protect children from this deadly but preventable disease.
- $312 could help provide 1,000 doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine.
- 80¢on average, 80 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went directly to helping children in need, including long-term programs, emergency response and community education.
- 14¢on average, 14 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went to essential fundraising costs that helped us generate more impact for children.
- 6¢on average, 6 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went towards our admin costs, such as keeping your personal data safe.
How do we use each dollar donated?
Your generous gift will help support UNICEF's work for vaccinating children and for all children in need around the world.
Vaccinate Children. Save Lives.
Help protect children against preventable diseases with lifesaving vaccines.